What is the difference between a Policy and a Profile in Jamf Pro?

In Jamf Pro, the distinction between a Policy and a Profile is significant and highlights their unique functionalities within the system's management capabilities. A Policy is designed to execute specific actions on managed devices. This can include tasks such as installing software, running scripts, executing commands, applying updates, or enforcing compliance with security measures. Essentially, Policies are action-oriented and are triggered by specific events or schedules.

On the other hand, a Profile, specifically a configuration profile, is primarily focused on configuring settings and preferences on devices. This includes setting up Wi-Fi configurations, VPN settings, email accounts, restrictions, and other device-wide settings that need to be consistently applied across multiple devices or users. Profiles help ensure that user devices are set up with the necessary configurations before they even begin to use the device.

Understanding this differentiation helps administrators utilize Jamf Pro more effectively, ensuring that they apply the right tools for either managing device behavior through Policies or configuring user environments through Profiles.